Hooker Valley Track

On gravel with some steps, this is the easiest way to stand face to face with Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain. Three swing bridges cross the valley's river, the second of them, at 189 m, the longest suspension bridge in the country, and the track ends at Hooker Lake with the mountain filling the view. The Department of Conservation times it in three stages from White Horse Hill parking area that add up to about 5 km and 90 minutes each way, returning the same way. In winter, shaded stretches turn icy, so microspikes and poles help.